Light Coupling Adapter Device For Photodynamic Or Photothermal Therapy Or Photodynamic Diagnosis, Corresponding System And Method

Abstract

A system configured for photodynamic or photothermal therapy and photodynamic diagnosis of a tissue is 5 disclosed. The system comprises in combination an assembly of: a proximal end adapter for a catheter comprising an adapter body (32), having proximal and distal ends, defining an axial lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, a catheter mounting element at the distal end 10 of the adapter body (32) for sealingly mounting a catheter to the adapter body, and a hollow catheter (31), wherein the catheter mounting element connects a catheter body to the hollow catheter so that the hollow catheter extends from the distal end of the catheter body; a first light 15 guide (36) having proximal and distal ends, wherein said first light guide is sealingly contained in said axial lumen defining an axial optical path extending between the proximal and distal ends of the adapter body (32) towards said tissue (8) and into close proximity thereof or 20 interstitially into said tissue; an optical connector mounting element at the proximal end having mounted an optical connector (37) to the adapter body, and wherein said optical connector (37) is coupled to a light source via a second light guide (38), such that light from said 25 light source is transmittable from said light source via said second light guide (38) and further via said optical connector (37) to said first light guide (36) via said proximal end adapter towards said tissue (8) through said catheter (31).

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to International Application No. PCT / SE2006 / 050120 filed May, 12, 2006 entitled “Light Coupling Adapter Device For Photodynamic Or Photothermal Therapy Or Photodynamic Diagnosis, Corresponding System And Method,” whih claims priority to Swedish Application No. SE0501077-2 filed May 12, 2005 entitled “Device For Photodynamic Diagnosis Or Therapy,” and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 680,770 filed May 13, 2005 entitled “Device For Photodynamic Diagnosis Or Therapy,” all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a system for interactive interstitial photodynamic or photothermal therapy and / or diagnosis of a tissue by an apparatus having at least one source of therapeutic or diagnostic light, such as a source of laser radiation, and at least one radiation conductor, such as a light guide in the form of an optical fibre, for transmitting light between said ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]An object of the invention is to provide a system for conveniently arranging at least one radiation conductor for photodynamic or photothermal therapy and / or diagnosis.

[0042]The system may further comprise a second adapter for releasably connecting the proximal end of said adapter body to a further optical connector proximally arranged at said optical connector, in order to ensure patient safety and to avoid contamination of re-usable articles of said system.

[0049]The present invention thus provides an advantageous device, system, use and method.

Problems solved by technology

The surplus agent is normally removed by the body action, such as the liver or kidney, which may place a considerable burden on these organs or systems.

However, this has a number of drawbacks.

However, sterilization methods often deteriorate the optical qualities of the fibres, e.g. aggressive solvents when using plastic fibres or residues may be left on the surface of the fibres after sterilization or disinfection.

Alternatively, the patient contaminated fibres have to be discarded, which is costly.

When the distal fibre ends are inserted through the lumen of a cannula, which is stuck into the tissue to be treated / diagnosed, leaking is a concern that has to be dealt with.

Today, the tissue is punctured with additional syringes, which may cause inconvenience or harm to the patient, e.g. due to an increased risk of infection and bleeding.

However, hitherto none of these attempts has been successful.

However, U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,794 is not suited for photodynamic diagnosis.

Furthermore, the catheter of U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,794 does not allow interstitial insertion thereof, only transluminal delivery.

Transdermal insertion directly into a tumour, e.g. close to the skin, is not possible with this catheter.

It is not suited for this purpose, partly due to its flexible design.

The device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,171 is neither suited for photodynamic diagnosis nor for photodynamic therapy.

Furthermore, the catheter of U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,171 does also not allow interstitial insertion thereof.

Moreover, transdermal insertion directly into a tumour, e.g. close to the skin, is not possible with this catheter.

Moreover, transdermal insertion directly into a tumour, e.g. close to the skin, is not possible with this catheter.

The above described catheter devices are definitively not suited for a system involving a plurality of light guides inserted into a tissue, such as the system disclosed in WO03 / 041575 of same applicant, already mentioned above.

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